Lifelong Dreamer Vietnam Boat Person Summary

The United States of America always had a reputation of being the land of newcomers and immigrants. Principally, in the 16th and 17th century Puritans arrived in the New World (modern day eastern USA) to be able to practice their religion; Moreover , throughout the 19th century Irish and German immigrants left their homeland to seek job opportunities and resources in the United States. Furthermore, throughout the 20th century, immigrants arrived from other parts of the world such as Eastern Europe , Mexico, and etc. Logically, there's a pattern in the sociology of the United States. Why would foreigners come to the United States and leave their homeland? It is simple, to achieve an American Dream. The American Dream consists of either achieving

In the article "Lifelong Dreamer-Vietnam Boat Person" by Mary-Beth McLaughlin tells the story of how a Vietnamese woman named Nancy Pham became an entrepreneur in the United States. Back in the 1960s, there was war in Vietnam. Nancy Pham would always have sandbags in the living room so her family and herself can take cover when bombs occur (46). Later on in Nancy's life, she graduated high school and received a job as a secretary at the Macvee (or U.S Army) including her sister. She then met the love of her life and had two children. Nancy became a full-time mother. Despite being a full-time mother, Nancy would have a fear "to ride on buses or go to the hotels where Americans stayed - [because] both were prime targets for bombs"(47). Overtime, in 1972 Nancy's sister signed up her whole family to leave Vietnam and migrate to the U.S. Everyone of Nancy's family members left except her and her immediate family because she "never done anything to the Communist, they would never do anything to [her]"(47) Eventually, Nancy and her family left Vietnam on a refugee boat. During her voyage to America, her daughter Jenny nearly starved to death. Finally , after a long voyage, they arrived in a camp in Pennsylvania and awaited any sponsoring offerings. "Many families requested sponsors located in sunnier climates like Florida or California but Mr. Pham couldn't wait"(48). This statement showed how

In the article "Is The American Dream Still Possible?" By David Wallechinsky explains personal stories and statistics in regards if the American Dream is still possible to achieve. As for Oden from Georgia "has since started his own business, a 'leadership and personal development' consulting firm. His wife, Josett, works as a representative in the health-care field "I do believe I will recover But the traditional American Dream? For most Americans, it is still a dream—a pipedream”(56). Principally, there's different interpretations of what the American Dream consists of. There's definitely ways to gain access to the American Dream even though it seems like a fantasy to others. Yet, it is only attainable to those who actually want it. For Oden, he can find ways to improve his personal business because he has the freedom and access to do it. He is already provided access to the American Dream because he was capable to own a business that he can live off of financially. Furthermore, "Michelle, 19, is a freshman at the University of California at Merced. She says she is concerned about the financial burden her education is placing on her family, 'In order to meet our expected family contribution, my mother had to borrow the entire amount of her share.' For her part, Michelle earned six small scholarships, two of which are renewable for next year, and took out a federal